Kieler Woche: Windsurfing star Kördel - "First place is the best position for the future"

Sebastian, on day one of the Olympic first half of Kiel Week, you weren't able to get started straight away in the summer doldrums. The races also had to be postponed on day two. What does a world champion do when he can't start surfing?

I'm just at home a little longer in the morning when I see two or three above the number pennants in Schilksee AP. It takes me about 20 minutes by bike to get to the Olympic Centre. Then I come here completely relaxed and spend a bit of time at the German Sailing Association, where many others from the German Sailing Team are. If a race day is completely cancelled, I go to the gym.

Kieler Woche lacks a strong international participation in many Olympic classes this year, even though the best of the German Sailing Team are competing almost completely. The proximity to two annual highlights that follow Kiel Week with the Olympic test regatta in Marseille in July and the Sailing World Championship for all Olympic disciplines in August has put many stars off the Kiel Week course this year. What does the iQFoil look like?

Pretty good, I think. Many are currently doing a training camp in Marseille, then travelling home again and then back to Marseille for the Olympic test event. That explains why some are missing. But there are even a few more international starters than last year. We even have two in the iQ who have travelled from Asia. Korea and Japan are at the start, one of them is from my training group. These are drivers who will also be competing in the Olympic test regatta. We are continuing to build up our field at Kieler Woche and are on the right track. If we keep pushing over the next few years, it will get better.

You notice that everyone is looking: What is he doing?" (Sebastian Kördel)

Last year you won the Kaiser Cup for the most successful Kieler Woche competitor with nine race wins, but you didn't win the Kieler Woche at all ...

At iQFoil, we have a special medal race. It's all about who wins in just one race. That person then wins the event, regardless of the previous results. The only thing you take away from the whole week is that the winner goes straight through to the final and the second and third are seeded for the semi-final. That's the bonus for the week's performance. In the final with three people but in the battle for the medals, everything is open again. I was a bit unlucky last year that I got a bit of seaweed and couldn't defend my first place from the week. That's the game, that's the rules.

You are the reigning world champion in the pre-Olympic year. An ideal prerequisite for the Olympic medal hunt?

I've been trying to become world champion for a while now. Because I've been a professional windsurfer for a long time. I always imagined it would be a bit more extreme. You always think that when you become world champion, everything is rosy. It's not quite like that. Of course, it's an incredible feeling when you've made it. But being reigning world champion is first and foremost a lot of pressure. You just realise that everyone is watching: What is he doing? A lot is expected of you. But first place is the best position for the future. That's why I'm very happy about it.

Is a World Championship title proof that you can compete for the medals at the 2024 Olympics?

Definitely. It will be the same people I raced against at the World Championships. A few less, because only one starter per country is allowed at the Olympics. Which is basically a good thing (laughs). At the moment there are four or five people who are the absolute world leaders in the iQ. Sometimes one is faster, sometimes the other. Then we'll see who puts together their best week and who comes out on top in the medal race.

No matter what happens. I can drive well" (Sebastian Kördel)

Can you tell us your favourite aspects as a windsurfer and your weaknesses?

We practised almost everything during the winter. I can say quite confidently that I can be at the front in all conditions. Of course, it always depends on something else. If there's a lot of wind and a lot of waves and a current, then it always depends on how you're set up on the day. And whether you can deliver your performance. A day like that depends on your form. In easier conditions, it simply depends on whether you have set up your equipment well and have the basic speed. But honestly, no matter what happens, I can ride well.

Some Olympic boat classes are provided with all their equipment at the Games. What is it like for you new Olympic windsurfers in the iQFoil?

The decision for the Olympics is currently being made. We had another extraordinary class meeting on Wednesday to decide what exactly will happen with the equipment at the Olympics. Our preferred option is that we receive the equipment relatively far in advance of the Olympic Games and then select the equipment from the pool for each qualified rider to ride at the Olympic Games. There are other proposals on the table, but there will definitely be equipment provided. So you can't bring your own equipment. Of course, we hope that we get this equipment as early as possible so that the rider can't just be unlucky and get bad equipment, but everyone can choose from the pool and everyone is on a more or less equal footing afterwards.

Did you actually take home the big Kaiser Cup that you received last year for your nine race wins in a row and now have to give it back?

No, I was only allowed to hold it in my hands on stage and lift it up, but not take it with me. But you do get a picture of it.

At least you won't have to spend a lot of time cleaning the mighty silver trophy.

Yes, it also has its advantages (grins).

An interview with the iQFoil world champion! Click here for the interview that YACHT online conducted with the likeable Radolfzell surf ace shortly before the start of Kieler Woche:

A look back at the 2022 World Championship, which Sebastian Kördel ended as the lucky champion:

Click here for the results of the 129th Kiel Week.